The most crucial skill that should be reinforced at home is reading.  Because reading is so critical and the basis for many other skills, all students at BES will be expected to read at home every day.  For Kindergarten through 1st grade it is expected that students will read, or be read to, at least 15 minutes per day.  In addition to the required 15 minutes of reading, the total time spent on homework for K-1 students should not exceed 30 minutes each day. For students in 2nd through 5th grades 20 minutes of reading each night is expected.  The total time spent on homework, including the 20 minutes of reading, should not exceed 40 minutes per day.  Time on homework each day should gradually increase as they move through the grade levels and concepts become more complex.  Homework time should be utilized in practicing skills, it should not be bound by the amount of work completed, rather limited to time and based on the student’s ability.  Parents should be involved with their students during this time providing reinforcement and positive praise to help students to gain confidence in their abilities.  What homework looks like will differ from each grade and class, however, the time limits should not exceed those outlined above.